King, Montreal Gazette biz reporter, dies at 51

Mike King, a business reporter at the Montreal Gazette, died Sunday at the age of 51 after suffering a brain aneurysm on Friday.

Monique Muise of the Gazette writes, “He was known as a jack-of-all-trades; a flexible and prolific newsman who could pick up an idea and produce a clean, well-researched story every single day – without fail, and without complaint.

“‘He never questioned an assignment, never criticized the editing of his stories,’ recalled Raymond Brassard, The Gazette’s managing editor. ‘He simply went about his work in a professional and pleasant manner. There was no one in the newsroom who had more friends.’

“In 2003, King left the general assignment desk behind, transferring to the Business section, where he specialized in entrepreneurship, the auto industry and food services stories.

“‘I always knew that if I was going on assignment with him, there would be really good food involved,’ chuckled Richard Arless Jr., a former Gazette photographer and longtime friend. ‘For a little guy, he could eat more than me. And he didn’t have an ounce of fat on him. He was like a kid, really.'”